" Tourism is an intriguing concept. Place it in a bowl alongside one small Mediterranean town, add a sprinkling of urban development, marinate some wild fantasies for golf courses and yachting marinas, then stand back and watch what happens. "Inside the Tortilla

Many have said that I have been too harsh on Coastal Dwellers in my book Inside The Tortilla, but I beg to differ. Yesterday I spent a pleasant day on the coastal strip of Granada, perusing this "serpentine mall" and wondering other tricks these small towns have left up their sleeves, for survival in the post-Euro-Crisis.

Yes, tourism has brought tack and all but destroyed the Iberian Med, but it has also buffered these sea-dwellers from the harsher economic downturn of inland Spain. Whereas in my high street, shop closures and an idle workforce are daily more apparent, there is, on the strip, year round tourism that brings with it at least a trickle of money and a reason for many establishments to remain open.

And oh, the light and warm air eased my chilled bones of late. Even The Hound couldn't resist the urge for a quick dip and a round of his favourite game: Fetch that stone.

But then, on heading back along the bottom of that dramatic ravine which separates the coastal and inland parts of the Granada province, I was reminded of the sheer beauty and diversity of life when you step back from the grey sand and stones of the beach. For the sea blinds you. It transfixes you and hypnotises you into believing that there, on that small dusty strip of stone and water lies life itself.Who knows. Perhaps it is true.